David and Janet Wood Cumming are the parents of Kate Cumming, the longtime Mobile resident who wrote about nursing wounded Confederate soldiers during the Civil War and who is buried nearby here at Magnolia Cemetery.
David Cumming was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in about April of 1799 to Thomas Cumming and Catherine Gavin. He was christened on April 17th 1799 at Saint Nicholas Church in Aberdeen and the church register spelled his surname "Cummine." David had a twin sister, Christina.
David's father, Thomas Cumming, had a long career at sea in the British Navy. He died at sea and was buried at sea.
David Cumming was educated at Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen where he became proficient in mathematics. This talent, his knowledge of the sea and a favor owed helped him land a job as a shipping agent in Leith, Scotland when he was about 20. There he met Janet Wood, daughter of George Wood and Janet McCarter. Janet, who was called "Jessie" and David Cumming were married on November 7, 1820 in Aberdeen and had 13 children.
North Leith Parish Church recorded the christenings of their children:
Thomas Cumming, christened November 26, 1821 (died early)
William Gavin Cumming, christened May 25, 1823 (died early)
George Cumming, christened February 13, 1825 (born Jan 8, 1825). George married Marion Bain and they raised a family in San Francisco.
David Cumming and Janet Johnston Cumming (twins), christened Oct. 2, 1826. David did not marry and spent the Civil War years in New Jersey near New York City. He died in New Jersey. Jessie married Gavin Watson.
Catharine (Kate) Cumming (Confederate nurse): She was born 5 Sept 1830, according to her diary entries. (Her diaries and other papers are kept in the Kate Cumming archive at the Alabama Department of Archives and History.)
On September 5, 1879, she wrote "My birthday. 49 years old."
On September 5, 1880, she wrote "50 years old today." (making her birth year 1830)
This is 6 years earlier than the year (1836) written on her grave marker at Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile. Kate's birth year changes from census to census. The 1850 Census for Mobile, Alabama seems to be the most accurate, giving the Cumming children's ages in order Kate's age of 23 makes her birth year 1827 and she is logically placed after the twins David and Janet (Jessie) born 1824 or 1825 and before Jane born in 1828 or 1829 with Mary Ann born the following year (1829 or 1830).
Jane Cumming, born about 1828. Married 1st Alexander Sutherland; 2nd David Meriwether, former governor of Kentucky
Mary Ann Cumming, born about 1829. Married James Radcliffe.
In about 1830, the family relocated (with David's sisters Christina, Catharine and brother Thomas) to Halifax, Family letters refer to a farm where the families lived when they first arrive in Nova Scotia.
David Cumming worked as a clerk at the Bank of Montreal. He and Jessie had the following children whose birthdates are in the Quebec Vital and Church Records:
Alexandrina Simpson Cumming, born on July 27, 1833. Married James A.J. MacLeod and lived the rest of her life with her large family in New South Wales, Australlia.
Christina Skakel Cumming, born on February 1, 1835. Married 1st Thomas Hogg; 2nd: Dr. Richard Wildman.
William Skakel Cumming, born on April 1, 1836 (died early)
David and Jessie then moved to New York City in about 1838 and had their last two children:
Agnes Cumming, born 1838. Married and divorced Darius Welch.
James Rentoul Cumming, born 1840. Died in Texas. Did not marry.
The family was next seen in the 1850 US Census living in Mobile, Alabama.
David worked as a clerk and accountant at various businesses in Mobile.
During the Civil War, son James, known as "Jamie," was a member of Ketchum's, afterwards Garrity's Artillery Battery, Alabama State. Kate Cumming kept close tabs on her brother's whereabouts and health during the war as she nursed wounded Southern soldiers at many southern battle sites.
After Jessie's death in 1872, David moved to Birmingham, Alabama and lived with Kate, who had relocated there and was a teacher. He was losing his eyesight and went back to Mobile to undergo an eye operation at the home of his daughter Christina. The procedure went well and he was recuperating at Christina's house, but about a month after the surgery, David's health began to fail and he died on May 10, 1874.
His funeral service was on May 11, 1874 at St. John's Church in Mobile.
David Cumming was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in about April of 1799 to Thomas Cumming and Catherine Gavin. He was christened on April 17th 1799 at Saint Nicholas Church in Aberdeen and the church register spelled his surname "Cummine." David had a twin sister, Christina.
David's father, Thomas Cumming, had a long career at sea in the British Navy. He died at sea and was buried at sea.
David Cumming was educated at Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen where he became proficient in mathematics. This talent, his knowledge of the sea and a favor owed helped him land a job as a shipping agent in Leith, Scotland when he was about 20. There he met Janet Wood, daughter of George Wood and Janet McCarter. Janet, who was called "Jessie" and David Cumming were married on November 7, 1820 in Aberdeen and had 13 children.
North Leith Parish Church recorded the christenings of their children:
Thomas Cumming, christened November 26, 1821 (died early)
William Gavin Cumming, christened May 25, 1823 (died early)
George Cumming, christened February 13, 1825 (born Jan 8, 1825). George married Marion Bain and they raised a family in San Francisco.
David Cumming and Janet Johnston Cumming (twins), christened Oct. 2, 1826. David did not marry and spent the Civil War years in New Jersey near New York City. He died in New Jersey. Jessie married Gavin Watson.
Catharine (Kate) Cumming (Confederate nurse): She was born 5 Sept 1830, according to her diary entries. (Her diaries and other papers are kept in the Kate Cumming archive at the Alabama Department of Archives and History.)
On September 5, 1879, she wrote "My birthday. 49 years old."
On September 5, 1880, she wrote "50 years old today." (making her birth year 1830)
This is 6 years earlier than the year (1836) written on her grave marker at Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile. Kate's birth year changes from census to census. The 1850 Census for Mobile, Alabama seems to be the most accurate, giving the Cumming children's ages in order Kate's age of 23 makes her birth year 1827 and she is logically placed after the twins David and Janet (Jessie) born 1824 or 1825 and before Jane born in 1828 or 1829 with Mary Ann born the following year (1829 or 1830).
Jane Cumming, born about 1828. Married 1st Alexander Sutherland; 2nd David Meriwether, former governor of Kentucky
Mary Ann Cumming, born about 1829. Married James Radcliffe.
In about 1830, the family relocated (with David's sisters Christina, Catharine and brother Thomas) to Halifax, Family letters refer to a farm where the families lived when they first arrive in Nova Scotia.
David Cumming worked as a clerk at the Bank of Montreal. He and Jessie had the following children whose birthdates are in the Quebec Vital and Church Records:
Alexandrina Simpson Cumming, born on July 27, 1833. Married James A.J. MacLeod and lived the rest of her life with her large family in New South Wales, Australlia.
Christina Skakel Cumming, born on February 1, 1835. Married 1st Thomas Hogg; 2nd: Dr. Richard Wildman.
William Skakel Cumming, born on April 1, 1836 (died early)
David and Jessie then moved to New York City in about 1838 and had their last two children:
Agnes Cumming, born 1838. Married and divorced Darius Welch.
James Rentoul Cumming, born 1840. Died in Texas. Did not marry.
The family was next seen in the 1850 US Census living in Mobile, Alabama.
David worked as a clerk and accountant at various businesses in Mobile.
During the Civil War, son James, known as "Jamie," was a member of Ketchum's, afterwards Garrity's Artillery Battery, Alabama State. Kate Cumming kept close tabs on her brother's whereabouts and health during the war as she nursed wounded Southern soldiers at many southern battle sites.
After Jessie's death in 1872, David moved to Birmingham, Alabama and lived with Kate, who had relocated there and was a teacher. He was losing his eyesight and went back to Mobile to undergo an eye operation at the home of his daughter Christina. The procedure went well and he was recuperating at Christina's house, but about a month after the surgery, David's health began to fail and he died on May 10, 1874.
His funeral service was on May 11, 1874 at St. John's Church in Mobile.
David and Janet Wood Cumming are the parents of Kate Cumming, the longtime Mobile resident who wrote about nursing wounded Confederate soldiers during the Civil War and who is buried nearby here at Magnolia Cemetery.
David Cumming was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in about April of 1799 to Thomas Cumming and Catherine Gavin. He was christened on April 17th 1799 at Saint Nicholas Church in Aberdeen and the church register spelled his surname "Cummine." David had a twin sister, Christina.
David's father, Thomas Cumming, had a long career at sea in the British Navy. He died at sea and was buried at sea.
David Cumming was educated at Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen where he became proficient in mathematics. This talent, his knowledge of the sea and a favor owed helped him land a job as a shipping agent in Leith, Scotland when he was about 20. There he met Janet Wood, daughter of George Wood and Janet McCarter. Janet, who was called "Jessie" and David Cumming were married on November 7, 1820 in Aberdeen and had 13 children.
North Leith Parish Church recorded the christenings of their children:
Thomas Cumming, christened November 26, 1821 (died early)
William Gavin Cumming, christened May 25, 1823 (died early)
George Cumming, christened February 13, 1825 (born Jan 8, 1825). George married Marion Bain and they raised a family in San Francisco.
David Cumming and Janet Johnston Cumming (twins), christened Oct. 2, 1826. David did not marry and spent the Civil War years in New Jersey near New York City. He died in New Jersey. Jessie married Gavin Watson.
Catharine (Kate) Cumming (Confederate nurse): She was born 5 Sept 1830, according to her diary entries. (Her diaries and other papers are kept in the Kate Cumming archive at the Alabama Department of Archives and History.)
On September 5, 1879, she wrote "My birthday. 49 years old."
On September 5, 1880, she wrote "50 years old today." (making her birth year 1830)
This is 6 years earlier than the year (1836) written on her grave marker at Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile. Kate's birth year changes from census to census. The 1850 Census for Mobile, Alabama seems to be the most accurate, giving the Cumming children's ages in order Kate's age of 23 makes her birth year 1827 and she is logically placed after the twins David and Janet (Jessie) born 1824 or 1825 and before Jane born in 1828 or 1829 with Mary Ann born the following year (1829 or 1830).
Jane Cumming, born about 1828. Married 1st Alexander Sutherland; 2nd David Meriwether, former governor of Kentucky
Mary Ann Cumming, born about 1829. Married James Radcliffe.
In about 1830, the family relocated (with David's sisters Christina, Catharine and brother Thomas) to Halifax, Family letters refer to a farm where the families lived when they first arrive in Nova Scotia.
David Cumming worked as a clerk at the Bank of Montreal. He and Jessie had the following children whose birthdates are in the Quebec Vital and Church Records:
Alexandrina Simpson Cumming, born on July 27, 1833. Married James A.J. MacLeod and lived the rest of her life with her large family in New South Wales, Australlia.
Christina Skakel Cumming, born on February 1, 1835. Married 1st Thomas Hogg; 2nd: Dr. Richard Wildman.
William Skakel Cumming, born on April 1, 1836 (died early)
David and Jessie then moved to New York City in about 1838 and had their last two children:
Agnes Cumming, born 1838. Married and divorced Darius Welch.
James Rentoul Cumming, born 1840. Died in Texas. Did not marry.
The family was next seen in the 1850 US Census living in Mobile, Alabama.
David worked as a clerk and accountant at various businesses in Mobile.
During the Civil War, son James, known as "Jamie," was a member of Ketchum's, afterwards Garrity's Artillery Battery, Alabama State. Kate Cumming kept close tabs on her brother's whereabouts and health during the war as she nursed wounded Southern soldiers at many southern battle sites.
After Jessie's death in 1872, David moved to Birmingham, Alabama and lived with Kate, who had relocated there and was a teacher. He was losing his eyesight and went back to Mobile to undergo an eye operation at the home of his daughter Christina. The procedure went well and he was recuperating at Christina's house, but about a month after the surgery, David's health began to fail and he died on May 10, 1874.
His funeral service was on May 11, 1874 at St. John's Church in Mobile.
David Cumming was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in about April of 1799 to Thomas Cumming and Catherine Gavin. He was christened on April 17th 1799 at Saint Nicholas Church in Aberdeen and the church register spelled his surname "Cummine." David had a twin sister, Christina.
David's father, Thomas Cumming, had a long career at sea in the British Navy. He died at sea and was buried at sea.
David Cumming was educated at Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen where he became proficient in mathematics. This talent, his knowledge of the sea and a favor owed helped him land a job as a shipping agent in Leith, Scotland when he was about 20. There he met Janet Wood, daughter of George Wood and Janet McCarter. Janet, who was called "Jessie" and David Cumming were married on November 7, 1820 in Aberdeen and had 13 children.
North Leith Parish Church recorded the christenings of their children:
Thomas Cumming, christened November 26, 1821 (died early)
William Gavin Cumming, christened May 25, 1823 (died early)
George Cumming, christened February 13, 1825 (born Jan 8, 1825). George married Marion Bain and they raised a family in San Francisco.
David Cumming and Janet Johnston Cumming (twins), christened Oct. 2, 1826. David did not marry and spent the Civil War years in New Jersey near New York City. He died in New Jersey. Jessie married Gavin Watson.
Catharine (Kate) Cumming (Confederate nurse): She was born 5 Sept 1830, according to her diary entries. (Her diaries and other papers are kept in the Kate Cumming archive at the Alabama Department of Archives and History.)
On September 5, 1879, she wrote "My birthday. 49 years old."
On September 5, 1880, she wrote "50 years old today." (making her birth year 1830)
This is 6 years earlier than the year (1836) written on her grave marker at Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile. Kate's birth year changes from census to census. The 1850 Census for Mobile, Alabama seems to be the most accurate, giving the Cumming children's ages in order Kate's age of 23 makes her birth year 1827 and she is logically placed after the twins David and Janet (Jessie) born 1824 or 1825 and before Jane born in 1828 or 1829 with Mary Ann born the following year (1829 or 1830).
Jane Cumming, born about 1828. Married 1st Alexander Sutherland; 2nd David Meriwether, former governor of Kentucky
Mary Ann Cumming, born about 1829. Married James Radcliffe.
In about 1830, the family relocated (with David's sisters Christina, Catharine and brother Thomas) to Halifax, Family letters refer to a farm where the families lived when they first arrive in Nova Scotia.
David Cumming worked as a clerk at the Bank of Montreal. He and Jessie had the following children whose birthdates are in the Quebec Vital and Church Records:
Alexandrina Simpson Cumming, born on July 27, 1833. Married James A.J. MacLeod and lived the rest of her life with her large family in New South Wales, Australlia.
Christina Skakel Cumming, born on February 1, 1835. Married 1st Thomas Hogg; 2nd: Dr. Richard Wildman.
William Skakel Cumming, born on April 1, 1836 (died early)
David and Jessie then moved to New York City in about 1838 and had their last two children:
Agnes Cumming, born 1838. Married and divorced Darius Welch.
James Rentoul Cumming, born 1840. Died in Texas. Did not marry.
The family was next seen in the 1850 US Census living in Mobile, Alabama.
David worked as a clerk and accountant at various businesses in Mobile.
During the Civil War, son James, known as "Jamie," was a member of Ketchum's, afterwards Garrity's Artillery Battery, Alabama State. Kate Cumming kept close tabs on her brother's whereabouts and health during the war as she nursed wounded Southern soldiers at many southern battle sites.
After Jessie's death in 1872, David moved to Birmingham, Alabama and lived with Kate, who had relocated there and was a teacher. He was losing his eyesight and went back to Mobile to undergo an eye operation at the home of his daughter Christina. The procedure went well and he was recuperating at Christina's house, but about a month after the surgery, David's health began to fail and he died on May 10, 1874.
His funeral service was on May 11, 1874 at St. John's Church in Mobile.
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